U.S. patent application number 12/538151 was filed with the patent office on 2010-02-11 for active path navigation system.
Invention is credited to Armin Moehrle.
Application Number | 20100037181 12/538151 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 29710234 |
Filed Date | 2010-02-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100037181 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Moehrle; Armin |
February 11, 2010 |
ACTIVE PATH NAVIGATION SYSTEM
Abstract
Disclosed is a method of navigating an information structure
comprising: providing a graphical menu interface displaying the
items of a given level of the information structure and enabling
selection thereof; dynamically constructing an active path as a
sequence of active links after an item of the information structure
has been selected; said active links allowing the display of one or
more items on a given level of the information structure; and said
active links allowing a user to access an item in the information
structure by selecting from the one or more items displayed by one
of the active links on the active path.
Inventors: |
Moehrle; Armin; (Chicago,
IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JONATHAN D. FEUCHTWANG
2912 BRITTAN AVE
SAN CARLOS
CA
94070
US
|
Family ID: |
29710234 |
Appl. No.: |
12/538151 |
Filed: |
August 9, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11687646 |
Mar 17, 2007 |
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12538151 |
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10444359 |
May 23, 2003 |
7216301 |
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11687646 |
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10164520 |
Jun 6, 2002 |
7191411 |
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10444359 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
715/843 ;
715/854 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 16/168 20190101;
G06F 3/0482 20130101; G06F 16/954 20190101 |
Class at
Publication: |
715/843 ;
715/854 |
International
Class: |
G06F 3/048 20060101
G06F003/048 |
Claims
1. A method of navigating an information structure comprising:
providing a graphical menu interface displaying the items of a
given level of the information structure and enabling selection
thereof; dynamically constructing an active path as a sequence of
active links after an item of the information structure has been
selected; said active links allowing the display of one or more
items on a given level of the information structure; and said
active links allowing a user to access an item in the information
structure by selecting from the one or more items displayed by one
of the active links on the active path.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more items allow the
display of one or more additional items on a given level of the
information structure.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more active links
allow the display of one or more items on a given level of the
information structure when a pointer is rolled over one of the
active links.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more active links
allow the display of one or more items on a given level of the
information structure when one of the active links is selected.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more active links
allow the display of one or more items on a given level of the
information structure when a visual icon associated with one of the
active links is selected.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the active links in the active
path allow the display of one or more items on a given level of the
information structure without changing the active path.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein a user may directly access one or
more active links in the active path by selecting the active
link.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein the selection of an active link
causes the active path to truncate to the selected active link.
9. The method of claim 1, further providing pre-defined shortcuts
that enable direct access to a given item in the information
structure, wherein selection of a pre-defined shortcut dynamically
constructs an active path including one active link corresponding
to each item necessary to navigate to the given item in the
information structure.
10. An apparatus for navigating an information structure, the
apparatus including a processor configured to: provide a graphical
menu interface displaying the items of a given level of the
information structure and enabling selection thereof; dynamically
construct an active path as a sequence of active links after an
item of the information structure has been selected; allow one or
more active links in the active path to display one or more items
on a given level of the information structure; and allow a user to
access an item in the information structure by selecting the item
from the one or more items displayed by one of the active links on
the active path.
11. The apparatus of claim 10, further configured to allow the one
or more items to display one or more additional items on a given
level of the information structure.
12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the one or more active links
allow the display of one or more items on a given level of the
information structure when a pointer is rolled over one of the
active links.
13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the one or more active links
allow the display of one or more items on a given level of the
information structure when one of the active links is selected.
14. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the one or more active links
allow the display of one or more items on a given level of the
information structure when a visual icon associated with one of the
active links is selected.
15. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the active links in the
active path allow the display of one or more items on a given level
of the information structure without changing the active path.
16. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein a user may directly access
one or more active links in the active path by selecting the active
link.
17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the selection of an active
link causes the active path to truncate to the selected active
link.
18. The apparatus of claim 10 further configured to provide
pre-defined shortcuts to enable access to a given item in the
information structure, wherein selection of a pre-defined shortcut
dynamically constructs an active path including one active link
corresponding to each item necessary to navigate to the given item
in the information structure.
Description
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.
No. 11/687,646 filed Mar. 17, 2007 which is a continuation of U.S.
application Ser. No. 10/444,359 filed May 23, 2003 which is a
continuation-in-part (CIP) of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/164,520
entitled Active Path Menu Navigation System, filed Jun. 6,
2002.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention generally relates to a navigation
system used to find, enter, or edit data or launch an application
within a hierarchical information system. The navigation system of
the present invention may be implemented in software executing on a
standalone software program or on a client server application. More
particularly, the navigation system of the present invention allows
a user to access different levels in a hierarchical information
system without retracing back to the top level of the
hierarchy.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Hierarchical information systems are used to organize items
by function or theme in order to facilitate efficient locating of
functions or locations. Hierarchical systems are used to organize
documents into directories or folders and to organize functions
into pull-down menus.
[0004] Conventionally one of two navigation systems are used to
navigate through the various levels of a menu tree. By far the most
popular menu navigation system is the so-called collapsing menu
system which, for example, is used by many traditional personal
computer applications. The distinguishing characteristics of this
system are that the navigation always commences from the initial or
root level and that the menu collapses back to the root level after
a selection is made.
[0005] Computer software frequently includes dozens of functions.
The sheer number of features makes it desirable to organize the
functions into a hierarchy of categories to facilitate efficient
searching. In a collapsing menu system each level in the hierarchy
is presented as a level in the pull-down menu.
[0006] FIG. 1A shows a top or root level 10 of a hypothetical menu.
Each level 10 of the menu provides a list of menu choices 12. Each
menu choice 12 could be an end node such as a function whose
selection initiates some action, or the menu choice 12 could lead
(point) to another level 10 providing a further list of menu
choices 12. Selection of an end node will cause the pull-down menu
to collapse back to the root level.
[0007] FIG. 1B shows the pull-down menu of FIG. 1A with several
levels of the hierarchical menu expanded. The menu structure of
FIG. IB collapses back to the root level shown in FIG. 1A once an
end node is selected. The defining characteristic of such a
conventional navigation system is that navigation is one-way, and
always starts from the root level to an end node. This method of
navigation becomes cumbersome if the desired function or
destination is buried several levels down from the root
directory.
[0008] To address this shortcoming, conventional operating systems
such as Microsoft Windows.RTM. provide short-cuts in the form of
pre-defined function keys or icons. Such short-cuts enable the user
to directly access the desired function associated with the
short-cut.
[0009] In the absence of a pre-defined short-cut, the user must
resort to navigating the menu structure. The problem with the
collapsing menu system is that navigation must always commence from
the root level. Consequently more experienced users are unable to
take advantage of their knowledge of the hierarchical structure to
directly access a given level.
[0010] FIG. 2A shows a conventional path menu system 20 used to
navigate through the directory structure of a disk. Similarly, FIG.
2B shows a conventional universal resource locator (URL) command 22
which operates similarly to the DOS path command of FIG. 2A. The
conventional disk operating system (DOS) uses a path menu system 20
to navigate between various folders. Each folder represents a
different level in the hierarchy. A given folder may contain one or
more sub-folders. To access a target or destination level the user
must know the path, i.e., the names of the each of the folders from
the root folder to the target folder. A system 10 of displaying the
contents of each folder is provided to guide the user through the
hierarchy. Namely, by typing a command such as DIRECTORY (DIR) the
user is provided with the contents of the present folder and the
path leading to the present folder. The user may proceed to a
sub-level in the hierarchy or may retrace his/her steps to a
preceding level by knowing the path.
[0011] Navigation using the path menu system requires the user to
memorize and enter complex hierarchical sequences. This method of
navigation is time consuming not suitable for users who have not
memorized the path. Moreover, this method becomes extremely
cumbersome as the number of levels increases.
[0012] Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to
provide a more efficient way of navigating hierarchical menu
systems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] A method for navigating within a multi-level hierarchical
collapsing menu structure is disclosed. Each level in the menu
structure contains plural items, each item representing a function
such as the function of launching an application, accessing a
database location, or pointing to a subordinate level.
[0014] The method of the present invention includes a step of
providing a graphical user menu system displaying the items of a
given level and enabling selection thereof, wherein access of the
given level requires sequential access of each of the levels
preceding the given level in the hierarchy. An Active Path is
dynamically constructed as a sequence of active links as items are
selected using the graphical user menu system, with one active link
correspond to each of the items selected. The active links provide
direct access to a function corresponding level or menu item
without the need to navigate using the graphical user menu
system.
[0015] According to a further aspect of the invention, pre-defined
short-cuts are provided which enable direct access to a given menu
item. The Active Path is dynamically constructed and displayed when
one of the pre-defined short-cuts are executed, with one active
link corresponding to each of the menu items necessary to access
the given menu item using the graphical user menu system.
[0016] Navigation using the Active Path is accomplished by rolling
over an active link with a pointing device or selecting an active
link using a pointing device. Rolling over a given active link
triggers the display of sibling menu items on the level associated
with the given active link. Selecting a given active link triggers
the execution of a function associated with the given active
link.
[0017] These and other aspects of the present invention will be
explained with reference to the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] FIGS. 1A and 1B are views of a conventional collapsing menu
system;
[0019] FIG. 2A is a view of a conventional path menu system;
[0020] FIG. 2B is a view of a conventional universal resource
locator address;
[0021] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a conventional computer
architecture;
[0022] FIGS. 4A-4C are views showing how the Active Path of the
present invention is assembled as the user browses and selects a
menu item;
[0023] FIGS. 5A-5E are views showing how an active link is used to
redirect the path;
[0024] FIGS. 6A-6B are views showing the Active Path in combination
with a traditional menu system to support the user's sense for
orientation;
[0025] FIGS. 7A-7C are views showing the Active Path with search
functionality for subordinate layers and content; and
[0026] FIGS. 8A-8D are views showing the Active Path replacing the
address bar in a browser.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0027] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a computer 32 on which the
software of the present invention operates. In the preferred
embodiment, the main logic of the computer 32 is embodied by a
general-purpose, programmable microprocessor 34, which in
conventional practice will have an on-board memory cache (not
shown) and which may be associated with one or more mathematics or
other special-purpose coprocessors (not shown).
[0028] The processing logic generally represented by processor 34
is connected by a bus 20 structure 36 to the various other
components of the computer 32. The schematic representation of bus
36 is shown in FIG. 3 as a simple and unitary structure, but in
conventional practice, as is known to those in the art, there
usually are several buses and communication pathways 36, operating
at different speeds and having different purposes. Further, bus 36
may be segmented and controlled by respective bus controllers, as
is also known in the art.
[0029] Computer 32 will also have a random access memory unit or
units 38 connected to the bus 36. RAM 38 (which may be DRAM, SDRAM
or other known types) typically has loaded into it the operating
system of the computer 32 and executable instructions for one or
more special applications designed to carry out the invention.
Computer 32 also has electronic read-only memory 40 for storing
those programs such as the BIOS which are non-volatile and persist
after the computer 32 is shut down.
[0030] In alternative embodiments of the invention, one or more
components of the invention's logic may be "hard-wired" into the
ROM 40 instead of loaded as software instructions into RAM 38. ROM
40 can consist of or comprise electrically programmable read-only
memory (EPROM), electrically erasable and programmable read-only
memory (EEPROM) of either flash or nonflash varieties, or other
sorts of read-only memory such as programmable fuse or antifuse
arrays.
[0031] In a typical architecture, a computer program suitable for
carrying out the invention will be stored on a mass storage device
42, such as an optical disk or magnetic hard drive. Bus 36 connects
mass storage device 42 to RAM 38. The computer 32 is connected to
various peripheral devices used to communicate with an operator,
such as display 44, keyboard 46, and pointing device (mouse)
48.
[0032] In operation, operating system software such as Microsoft
Windows.RTM. executes on the computer 32, and the user interacts
with the operating system using the display 44, keyboard 46, and
pointing device (mouse) 48.
[0033] FIG. 4A shows the initial view of the Active Path menu
system 100 of the present invention. In the initial view (FIG. 4A),
the Active Path Active Path 100 comprises a single active link 102
termed a root link 101. Since the initial view includes only one
active link 102, it is both the root link 101 and the end link
103.
[0034] FIG. 4B shows how the user browses the hierarchical
structure from the initial view (FIG. 10 4A) in order to arrive at
an expanded view the Active Path 100 (FIG. 4C). Multiple
hierarchical levels are displayed in FIG. 4B. Menu items 1.1, 1.2,
1.3 and 1.4 are termed siblings because they all fall within the
same hierarchical level 10b. Moreover, menu items 1.1, 1.2, 1.3 and
1.4 are all hierarchically subordinate to root menu item 1.0.
Similarly, menu item 1.2 is hierarchically superior to menu items
1.2.4.1, 1.2.4.2. Still further, menu item 1.0 is the parent 15 of
menu items 1.1, 1.2, 1.3 and 1.4.
[0035] FIG. 4C is a view of an expanded Active Path Active Path 100
including active links 1.0, 1.2, 1.2.3, and 1.2.3.4.
[0036] The Active Path 100 consists of a sequential listing of
active links 102, each active link 102 providing direct access to a
corresponding level in the hierarchical structure and to all of the
menu items on the same hierarchical level (sibling menu items).
[0037] It should be noted that whereas the conventional DOS path is
merely a passive display of the hierarchical levels, the Active
Path 100 is an interactive graphical user interface. As will become
evident the Active Path 100 has several significant advantages over
conventional menu trees used to navigate hierarchical information
structures.
[0038] The Active Path 100 has distinct browsing and selection
processes. The user browses by "rolling-over" (provisionally
selecting) an element with a pointing device such as a mouse,
causing the children to be displayed without hiding the siblings of
the parent (and siblings of the grandparents etc). This quality of
navigation supports the user's sense of orientation and is
maintained until the user makes a selection.
[0039] As used herein, the term "selecting" IS distinguished from
the term "browsing". Selecting means actively choosing a menu item.
Using a conventional pointing device 48 such as a mouse, selection
of a menu item (or active link) is accomplished when the user
depresses and releases the mouse key (mouse-up operation).
[0040] Browsing means that the user has "rolled over" a menu item
or active link 102 in order to view the siblings of the menu item
or active link, i.e., all of the menu items on the same
hierarchical level as the browsed link. The user may continue
browsing the hierarchical data structure by browsing (rolling over)
the sibling menu items. The Active Path 100 is not affected by the
user's browsing. The displayed Active Path 102 changes only when
the user selects a menu item or active link 102.
[0041] The present invention is not limited to any particular
pointing device, and may be implemented in various ways without
affecting the functionality of the invention. For example, separate
mouse keys could be used for browsing and navigating.
[0042] The user may directly access any hierarchically superior
level in the hierarchical data structure by selecting the
corresponding active link 102. In other words, the user directly
jumps to a given hierarchical level, and is not forced to
sequentially navigate through each of the hierarchical levels of
data structure to reach a desired level.
[0043] Referring to FIG. 4C, the user may directly access different
hierarchical levels by selecting 101, 102a, 102b.
[0044] When the user selects any active link 102, the Active Path
100 responds by executing a function. Functions may include the
launch of a software application or the display of the subordinate
links with a detailed description.
[0045] The user may alternatively browse the Active Path 100 and
any of the sibling menu items along a given branch in the data
hierarchy. Browsing does not affect the active patch 100, which
continues to be displayed until the user selects an active link 102
or one of the sibling menu items of an active link.
[0046] Moreover, the Active Path 100 enables the user to directly
re-execute the last function without the need to navigate to the
function through the menu system, and without the need for a
pre-defined short-cut. This is accomplished by selecting the last
active link (end link) 103.
[0047] In operation, the Active Path 102 starts with a special
active link termed a root link 101 displayed (FIG. 4A). No other
elements on the same or subordinate hierarchical level are
displayed until the root link 101 is browsed (rolling over) or the
expert user enters a shortcut to any point in the hierarchy.
[0048] FIGS. 4B shows a user browsing the Active Path 100 shown in
FIG. 4A. More 20 particularly, FIG. 4B shows the user browsing by
rolling over the active link 1.2.3 resulting in the display of the
siblings of 1.2.3.1, 1.2.3.2, 1.2.3.3, 1.2.3.6. Rolling over
(browsing) an active link 102 results in the display of the
siblings and children of the active link.
[0049] According to a preferred embodiment, there is a slight
distinction between browsing an active link 102 and browsing a menu
item. In browsing an active link 102, it is desirable to initially
display only the siblings of the active link (FIG. 5A), and display
the children after a slight time delay (FIG. 5B). The time delay in
displaying the children of the browsed active link facilitates the
user's sense of orientation.
[0050] FIG. 5C shows the Active Path 100 created after the user
selected 1.2.4.4 in FIG. 5B.
[0051] Another aspect of the invention relates to the user's
ability to immediately re-execute the last executed function by
selecting the end link 103. In this manner, the Active Path 100
defines on-the-fly a short-cut to the last function.
[0052] In contrast, conventional short-cuts such as a function
keys, icons, or the like are static in that it only provides access
to a single pre-defined item (function/database location).
[0053] In operation, the active links 102 of Active Path 100 are
accessed using the mouse 48 and mouse buttons 48a, 48-b (FIG.
3).
[0054] As described above, each of the active links 102 in the
Active Path 100 may be browsed 15 by rolling over the active link
102 with the pointer 50 of the pointing device 48, or accessed by
selecting the active link 102. As shown in FIG. 5B rolling over the
active link 102 simply entails manipulating the mouse 48 to
position the software pointer 50 over the active link 102. Rolling
over an active link 102-b causes the sibling menu items on the
level corresponding the active link 102-b to be displayed. It
should be noted that simply rolling over an active link 102 does
not alter the Active Path 100; it merely causes the sibling menu
items to be displayed.
[0055] Selection of an active link 102 is accomplished by, for
example, positioning the software pointer 50 over the active link
102 and actuating (and releasing) one of the mouse buttons 48-a,
48-b. Selection of an active link 102 causes different results
depending on whether or not the selected active link 102 is the end
link 103 in the Active Path 100. If the selected active link 102 is
not the end link 103, then selection will cause a folder with
subordinate levels and content to be displayed. For example, the
folder may contain a list of the sibling menu items 12 (subordinate
levels or links) on a given level of the hierarchical data
structure, and a brief description (content) of each of the menu
items. Moreover, if the selected active link 102 is not the end
link 103, then selection will trigger the construction of a new
Active Path 100. FIG. 5D shows a user selecting active link 102b
(1.2.3). As shown, the last executed function (end link 103) was
1.2.3.4. After selecting 102b the Active Path is truncated, and
1.2.3 becomes the end link 103.
[0056] Selection of an end link 103 will cause the immediate
re-execution of the associated function (last function executed).
Thus, the last executed function may be re-executed by simply
selecting the end link 103 in the Active Path 100. Moreover,
selection of an end link 103 will not affect the Active Path
100.
[0057] According to a further aspect of the present invention, the
Active Path 100 may be used to define a short-cut on-the-fly. Once
the Active Path 100 has been constructed the user may store the end
link 103 as a shortcut within a lookup table 38a (FIG. 3).
According to a presently preferred embodiment, this is accomplished
by a combination of commands. Thus, for example, the user could be
prompted to define a short-cut identifier by clicking mouse button
48-b over end link 103. The Active Path 100 then stores the
association between the function (or location) 20 and the
user-selected shortcut in the rewriteable table 38a.
[0058] The Active Path 100 of the present invention may similarly
be used to navigate to a location such as a location in a database
or a web page. Notably, the Active Path 100 is created in the same
manner regardless of whether the menu items 12 represent functions
or locations. In the case of navigating to a location, selecting an
active link: 102 (other than the end link: 103) triggers the access
of the associated database location. In contrast, when navigating
to a class of functions, selection of an active link: 102 (other
than the end link: 103) merely triggers the display of the sibling
menu items on the associated level. One of ordinary skill in the
art will appreciate that the Active Path 100 of the present
invention may be used in standalone applications such as operating
systems, word processors, spreadsheets or the like. Moreover, the
Active Path 100 may also be used in a client-server environment.
Notably, the Active Path 100 may be used to navigate functions
provided on a web site or to navigate between different web
addresses.
[0059] In standalone applications, a range of Microsoft.RTM.
Windows Application Programming Interface functions such as
"CreateWindow" and other graphics library function calls may be
used to create the graphic components of the Active Path. Any
combination of mainstream programming languages such as Visual
Basic, Java, C, or Delphi may be used to create the dynamic
components and rollover effects.
[0060] In client server applications, the code for the Active Path
may be part of the initial HTML file in form of a JavaScript/DHTML
combination or separate JavaScript files (.js) containing the
arrays describing the Active Path 100 and Cascading Style Sheets
files (.css) containing the graphic attributes of the Active Path
100. This data may be cached locally after the initial server
call.
[0061] For internet browser applications, such as Internet Explorer
or Mozilla the preferred embodiment foresees a replacement of the
address bar with the Active Path 100 to avoid redundancy, allow the
user to focus on the content and make browsing more efficient. For
Microsoft.RTM. Internet Explorer, this would involve utilizing its
custom Explorer Bars integration feature.
[0062] In standalone applications, a range of Windows Application
Programming Interface functions such as "CreateWindow" and other
graphics library function calls may be used to create the graphic
components of the Active Path. Any combination of mainstream
programming languages such as Visual Basic, Java, C, or Delphi may
be used to create the dynamic components and rollover effects.
[0063] Windows Explorer may replace the Address Bar with the Active
Path 100. This could make the display of the folder window
redundant. The user may better take advantage of the screen
real-estate by rolling over and "browsing" through the levels of
the collapsing menu system.
[0064] The Active Path 100 of the present invention may also be
used to navigate audio interfaces. A preferred embodiment for audio
interfaces would allow users to navigate to the end point of a
path. A certain input command, such as pressing a certain key,
would read the sequence and level of the selected path. Users can
then select any level of the path and navigate to a new
endpoint.
[0065] The Active Path 100 may also be used in conjunction with a
conventional navigation system such as the above-described
collapsing menu system or path menu system.
[0066] The Active Path 100 is dynamically assembled and displayed
as the user navigates using the conventional menu screens. The
Active Path 100 is assembled automatically without the need for any
additional user interaction as the user navigates using the
collapsing menu system.
[0067] FIGS. 6A-6B show how the Active Path 100 may be used to
navigate to classes of functions. In the embodiment depicted in
FIGS. 6A-6B the Active Path 100 is used in conjunction with a
conventional collapsing menu system 10. One of ordinary skill in
the art will appreciate that the location of the Active Path 100 in
relation to the collapsing menu system 10 and its graphical
representation are not critical to the operation of the Active Path
100.
[0068] FIG. 6A shows an initial view of the conventional collapsing
menu system 10. The Active path 100 is absent from FIG. 6A because
no menu item has been selected. As the user rolls over a given menu
item, the children of the menu item are displayed. In FIG. 6A the
user has successively rolled over 1.2, 1.2.3, and 1.2.3.4. Again,
the Active path 100 is absent from FIG. 6A because no menu item has
yet been selected.
[0069] FIG. 6B shows the Active Path 100 after the user selected
menu item 1.2.3.4. As shown, the conventional collapsing menu
system collapses once the user has selected a menu item. Each
active link 102 in the Active Path 100 represents the sequence of
implicit selections by an explicit selection of the menu item. More
particularly, the Active Path 100 shown in FIG. 6A includes active
links 101, 102a, 102b, and 103 corresponding to menu items FILE,
1.2, 1.2.3, and 1.2.3.4. Active link 101 corresponds to menu item
FILE selected from the initial or root level. Likewise, active link
102-a corresponds to menu item 1.2 selected, and active link 102-b
15 corresponds to menu item 1.2.3. Construction of the Active Path
100 occurs automatically as the user navigates through the menu
system 10. It should be noted that active link 102-c is the end
link 103 in the Active Path 100.
[0070] It should be noted that the menu system (pull-down menu
tree) 10 collapses when the user selects end node 1.2.3.4 whereupon
the Active Path 100 appears. The user may directly access different
hierarchical levels simply by selecting different active links
102.
[0071] As described above, the Active Path 100 is dynamically
constructed as the user navigates the collapsing menu system, and
is subsequently retained after the menu tree collapses back to the
root level. In addition, the Active Path 100 may optionally be
constructed each time a short-cut such as a function key or the
like is used. It should be noted that a shortcut may be defined for
any point in the hierarchical structure. This requires the use of a
look-up table 38a (FIG. 3) stored in RAM 38. The look-up table 38a
stores each of the pre-defined shortcuts and the associated data
necessary to create the Active Path 100. According to a presently
preferred embodiment, the Active Path 100 constructed is the same
as would be constructed by accessing the function through the
collapsing menu system.
[0072] In operation, the look-up table 38a would originally be
created by the software developer during initial definition of each
of the pre-defined short-cuts (function keys). Moreover, as will be
explained, the look-up table 38a may be updated by the user to
reference newly created short-cuts.
[0073] Additional Pointers on Menu Item
[0074] A further aspect of the invention will now be described with
reference to FIGS. 7 A-7C. Each menu item may contain additional
pointers to functions such as a search entry field 200 used for
searching folders, files or content of the subordinate information
hierarchy.
[0075] FIG. 7A shows an initial (root level) view of the Active
Path 100 with root link 101, and the search field 200. Selecting
search field 200 in FIG. 7 A will enable the user to search the
entire hierarchical structure from the highest (root) level to the
lowest level.
[0076] FIG. 7B shows an expanded view of the Active Path 100.
Selecting search field 200 in FIG. 7B will enable the user to
search the hierarchical structure from 1.2.3 and all hierarchically
subordinate levels (along the same branch).
[0077] FIG. 7C shows a sample of the search entry interface
displayed when the user selects the search field 200.
[0078] The functionality of the search entry field 200 may also be
implemented by, for example, using a special button on the pointing
device 48 or special key stroke on the keyboard.
[0079] As noted above, the Active Path 100 of the present invention
may be used to navigate directories, with the internet being just
one example of a directory.
[0080] Moreover, the Active Path may be used to enhance the
functionality of the address bar in an internet browser such as
Internet Explorer or Mozilla.
[0081] FIG. 8A shows a conventional address bar of an internet
browser.
[0082] FIG. 8B shows the root level 101 of the Active Path 100 as a
text entry field. Once a user has entered a location (destination)
the Active Path 100 will search for a data file representing the
information hierarchy of the location. This data file will enable
the user to browse the entire information hierarchy of the location
without fetching additional information from the server each time a
new hierarchical level is browsed. This enables a user to quickly
locate and directly access the desired (content) level with the
hierarchy without having to sequentially access the various levels
of the hierarchy.
[0083] FIG. 8C shows a user browsing an information hierarchy. This
aspect of the Active Path does not require the user to memorize the
entire URL to access a location. Moreover, the data file merely
contains a representation of the structure of the information
hierarchy and does not contain the actual contents of the location.
For this reason, the data file is relatively small. Once the user
has accessed a given location (FIG. 8D), the Active Path 100
includes a series of active links 101, 102, 103 each active link
pointing to a different level in the hierarchical structure. The
user may then directly access any level along the path without
having to resort to pressing the "go back" button on the
browser.
[0084] If a data file representing the information hierarchy of the
location is not located, the Active Path Menu Navigation System
will dynamically create the file from the directory structure and
the hypertext markup language (HTML) available on the server and
client files.
[0085] According to another aspect of the invention, the Active
Path 100 may be used to as a method for navigating web sites
including a plurality of hierarchically organized web pages. The
method of the present invention eliminates the need for providing
hyperlinks and navigational elements on the individual web
pages.
[0086] According to the present invention, a data file representing
the hierarchical structure of the multi-level hierarchical website
is either constructed or retrieved from the server. As noted above,
the data file representing the information hierarchy of the
location may be dynamically created from the directory structure
and the hypertext markup language (HTML) available on the server
and client files.
[0087] Using the Active Path, the user browses the data file
representing the information hierarchy of the location, and selects
a desired location. This eliminates the need to provide hyperlinks
and navigational elements on the individual web pages.
[0088] A new Active Path is dynamically constructed each time the
user navigates to a new location (web page) within the hierarchical
website. Again, each active link corresponds to a level in the
hierarchical structure, and a user may directly access any given
level of the hierarchical structure by selecting a given active
link. Moreover, the active links provide the user the ability to
directly browse all items on any given level of the hierarchical
menu structure including all hierarchically subordinate items
without affecting the Active Path.
[0089] Although a preferred embodiment of the Active Path
navigation system of the present invention has been specifically
described and illustrated, it is to be understood that variations
or alternative embodiments apparent to those skilled in the art are
within the scope of this invention. Since many such variations may
be made, it is to be understood that within the scope of the
following claims, this invention may be practiced otherwise than
specifically described.
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